Quick Summary:

  • Question: Why might someone want to get away from Chicago for a day?
  • Answer: Even with all Chicago has to offer, sometimes it just feels right to get away for a day.
  • Question: What types of experiences can be enjoyed during a day trip from Chicago?
  • Answer: Exploring a sleepy river town, fishing in a river surrounded by towering canyon walls, skiing, or answering the call of your inner history buff, can leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Milwaukee (1 hour 35 minutes) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Milwaukee (1 hour 35 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of Riverwalker - Fotolia.com

2. Holland, Michigan (2 hours 30 minutes) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Holland, Michigan (2 hours 30 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of CJ Nattanai - Fotolia.com

3. Kettle Moraine State Forest (2 hours 40 minutes)

Category: Activities
Kettle Moraine State Forest (2 hours 40 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of Wirepec - Fotolia.com

4. Lake Geneva (1 hour 40 minutes)

Category: Activities
Lake Geneva (1 hour 40 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Lake Geneva

5. Naperville (40 minutes)

Naperville (40 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of Henryk Sadura - Fotolia.com

6. Village of Oak Park (15 minutes)

Category: Activities
Village of Oak Park (15 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Village of Oak Park

7. Six Flags Great America (1 hour)

Six Flags Great America (1 hour) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Six Flags Great America

8. North Utica (1 hour 45 minutes)

North Utica (1 hour 45 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of Wirepec - Fotolia.com

9. Chicago Botanic Garden (35 minutes)

Category: Activities
Chicago Botanic Garden (35 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of elesi - Fotolia.com

10. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (1 hour)

Category: Activities
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (1 hour) | Day Trips from Chicago
© S Quintans/stock.adobe.com

11. Old State Capitol State Historic Site (3 hours)

Category: Attractions
Old State Capitol State Historic Site (3 hours) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of psykon99 - Fotolia.com

12. Apple River Canyon State Park (2 hours 30 minutes)

Category: Activities
Apple River Canyon State Park (2 hours 30 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of Tomasz Zajda - Fotolia.com

13. Starved Rock State Park (1 hour 35 min)

Category: Activities
Starved Rock State Park (1 hour 35 min) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of mtruchon - Fotolia.com

14. Brookfield Zoo (25 minutes)

Category: Kids & Family
Brookfield Zoo (25 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Brookfield Zoo

15. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (3 hours)

Category: Kids & Family
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (3 hours) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of Henryk Sadura - Fotolia.com

16. Anderson Japanese Gardens (1 hour 40 minutes)

Category: Activities
Anderson Japanese Gardens (1 hour 40 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Anderson Japanese Gardens

17. The Morton Arboretum (35 minutes)

Category: Activities
The Morton Arboretum (35 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© The Morton Arboretum

18. Cantigny Park (40 minutes)

Category: Activities
Cantigny Park (40 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Cantigny Park

19. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (20 minutes)

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (20 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of vitaprague - Fotolia.com

20. Huron-Manistee National Forests (4 hours)

Category: Activities
Huron-Manistee National Forests (4 hours) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Huron-Manistee National Forests

21. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens (2 hours)

Category: Activities
Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens (2 hours) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

22. Oglesby (1 hour 40 minutes)

Oglesby (1 hour 40 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of coloroby - Fotolia.com

23. White River State Park (3 hours)

Category: Activities
White River State Park (3 hours) | Day Trips from Chicago
© White River State Park

24. Peoria (2 hours 40 minutes)

Peoria (2 hours 40 minutes) | Day Trips from Chicago
© Courtesy of Henryk Sadura - Fotolia.com

Summary & FAQ Milwaukee (1 hour 35 minutes) Holland, Michigan (2 hours 30 minutes) Kettle Moraine State Forest (2 hours 40 minutes) Lake Geneva (1 hour 40 minutes) Naperville (40 minutes) Village of Oak Park (15 minutes) Six Flags Great America (1 hour) North Utica (1 hour 45 minutes) Chicago Botanic Garden (35 minutes) Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (1 hour) Old State Capitol State Historic Site (3 hours) Apple River Canyon State Park (2 hours 30 minutes) Starved Rock State Park (1 hour 35 min) Brookfield Zoo (25 minutes) Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (3 hours) Anderson Japanese Gardens (1 hour 40 minutes) The Morton Arboretum (35 minutes) Cantigny Park (40 minutes) Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (20 minutes) Huron-Manistee National Forests (4 hours) Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens (2 hours) Oglesby (1 hour 40 minutes) White River State Park (3 hours) Peoria (2 hours 40 minutes)

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